"Player-Cum-Mentor" Shikhar Dhawan Impresses Brian Lara, Irfan Pathan With Fine Knock

Slamming 42 runs off 37 balls on Wednesday, Shikhar Dhawan once again consolidated his position on top of the Orange Cap race in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 season. The swashbuckling batsman was in top form, helping Delhi Capitals (DC) chase a target of 135 runs, set by SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). Other than Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant also made noteworthy contributions to the chase. Iyer crossed 4000 T20 runs and remained unbeaten. Meanwhile, captain Pant also remained unbeaten after smashing 35 off 21 balls. 

Speaking on Star Sports after the match, legendary West Indies cricketer Brian Lara praised Dhawan for his approach to the match. "Much needed and losing his partner Prithvi Shaw early, he needed to stay there. He gave a little bit of comfort and consolidation for his side. See what happens so far in the IPL, you can't take anything for granted. See the way he came out and performed, also put on a partnership which is good," he said. 

"He did not take his team home but am sure that he is happy with the way he started or restarted the 2021 IPL", he further added. 

Dhawan has scored 422 runs this season in nine games and is ahead of Punjab Kings' (PBKS) KL Rahul, who has registered 380. Before the game, the duo were level after Rahul scored 49 runs in his side's recent defeat to Rajasthan Royals (RR).

Irfan Pathan also praised the veteran on Star Sports, stating that his transfer from SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) has helped him a lot.  

He said, "Impressed since he came back to Delhi. He was really doing well in SunRisers Hyderabad but since he is back to Delhi, his hometown, he is looking so much in ease. He is actually playing the role of a player-cum-mentor and this is what he wants." 

After the win, DC are on top of the points table with 14 points from nine games. For their next match, they face Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Saturday. 

Topics mentioned in this article

Delhi Capitals Brian Lara Irfan Pathan IPL 2021 Cricket Shikhar Dhawan